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kmsmith's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
thelibrarianofalexandria's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hughjass's review against another edition
4.0
I liked that Rick included stories from authors of color here - it was a nice way to read about mythology from all over. The writing style is also very captivating, reminds me of my childhood days reading quirky fiction way past my bedtime. A good, easy-to-space-out, lighthearted read
liz_keeney's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
story_goblin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This collection was exactly what you’d expect if you’re familiar with Riordan and Riordan Presents. Each story was fun and unique to its mythology/setting. I have only read some of the Riordan Presents authors, but I had no trouble with stories from series I haven’t read yet. It might even be a good way to get a “taste” of several of those series to help you decide which you’d like to read!
the_one_and_only_maddie's review against another edition
3.0
I decided to read this not as an entry point for the series it contains but more like a writing sample for other authors. I read the first chapter months ago and DNF until now. Ngl, twas a slog, but I get thats because I haven't read the series.
TLDR; They were all mid but the last one by Rick was pretty good.
Calamity Juice-3/5, Loved the wackyness but it lost me at multiple points.
Beware the Grove of True Love-2/5, I liked the myth they got sucked into but like did not care around that.
The Cave of Doom-3/5, My eyes glazed over at this point like I didn't realize how all these stories followed the Percy Jackson formula so rigidly it feels.
The Initiation-3/5, The premise seemed a bit of a stretch.. nothing was special, I didn't like the main character much, and in the time span we didn't get to know the others that much.
The Gum Baby Files-4/5, This was actually good, I do like stories where its like up to the side kicks to figure it out. Little shit child rep gets points with me, but Gum Baby never crossed a line into insufferable.
The Demon Drum-3/5, This was a sentimental rating because I love pow wows, but overall it was kinda mid. I get that its hard to make a little story in the middle of your series that has enough juice to be good but not enough plot shaking that readers who didn't catch the story will be lost, but like nothing wow happened.
Bruto and the Freaky Flower-3/5, I enjoyed this more probably because the other stories have been eh, but it was fine. Solid.
The Loneliest Demon- 2/5, A little cute but like by the title I knew where it was going.
My Night at the Gifted Carnival-2/5, Hattie should be the main character, did nothing for me.
My Life as a Child Outlaw-5/5, It was honestly crazy to go from these repetitive stories to this one that outshines them all. You can totally tell Rick is a much more experienced author, but I also think he didn't have the pressure of the story being within something greater because I remember his Percy Jackson/Kane Chronicle short stories were good, not great.
TLDR; They were all mid but the last one by Rick was pretty good.
Calamity Juice-3/5, Loved the wackyness but it lost me at multiple points.
Beware the Grove of True Love-2/5, I liked the myth they got sucked into but like did not care around that.
The Cave of Doom-3/5, My eyes glazed over at this point like I didn't realize how all these stories followed the Percy Jackson formula so rigidly it feels.
The Initiation-3/5, The premise seemed a bit of a stretch.. nothing was special, I didn't like the main character much, and in the time span we didn't get to know the others that much.
The Gum Baby Files-4/5, This was actually good, I do like stories where its like up to the side kicks to figure it out. Little shit child rep gets points with me, but Gum Baby never crossed a line into insufferable.
The Demon Drum-3/5, This was a sentimental rating because I love pow wows, but overall it was kinda mid. I get that its hard to make a little story in the middle of your series that has enough juice to be good but not enough plot shaking that readers who didn't catch the story will be lost, but like nothing wow happened.
Bruto and the Freaky Flower-3/5, I enjoyed this more probably because the other stories have been eh, but it was fine. Solid.
The Loneliest Demon- 2/5, A little cute but like by the title I knew where it was going.
My Night at the Gifted Carnival-2/5, Hattie should be the main character, did nothing for me.
My Life as a Child Outlaw-5/5, It was honestly crazy to go from these repetitive stories to this one that outshines them all. You can totally tell Rick is a much more experienced author, but I also think he didn't have the pressure of the story being within something greater because I remember his Percy Jackson/Kane Chronicle short stories were good, not great.
viivacious's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it was standalone stories but it turned out to be they were part of previous series. I was already planning to read some so I spoiled myself.
That being said, I really enjoyed them, some more than others but they were generally very heartfelt, funny, and cute. The last one just came for my heart. I was devastated. Will need a reread once I catch up with the other series.
On the audiobook narration, there were other languages spoken, and I can't tell on most of them, but the ones in Spanish, most of the narrators did not speak it and it showed.
It was a bit annoying in the beginning when they kept saying "caca seca" in one of the stories and it was making me lose my mind. But these are for children and I'm an adult, and I remember when my 6-11 year old little cousins thought saying caca was the height of comedy and would not stop. So the kids might enjoy that.
That being said, I really enjoyed them, some more than others but they were generally very heartfelt, funny, and cute. The last one just came for my heart. I was devastated. Will need a reread once I catch up with the other series.
On the audiobook narration, there were other languages spoken, and I can't tell on most of them, but the ones in Spanish, most of the narrators did not speak it and it showed.
It was a bit annoying in the beginning when they kept saying "caca seca" in one of the stories and it was making me lose my mind. But these are for children and I'm an adult, and I remember when my 6-11 year old little cousins thought saying caca was the height of comedy and would not stop. So the kids might enjoy that.